How Much Does Lay on Hands Heal?
In the world of Dungeons and Dragons, Lay on Hands is a powerful ability wielded by Paladins to heal their allies. The amount of healing it provides has been a topic of discussion among players and Dungeon Masters alike. In this article, we will explore the different sources of information that shed light on the effectiveness of Lay on Hands, and provide a comprehensive answer to the question: how much does Lay on Hands heal?
The Core Mechanics
According to the official 3.5 edition Dungeons and Dragons handbook, Lay on Hands allows a Paladin to channel positive energy to heal a target ally. The amount of healing is calculated by adding 10 to the Paladin’s level and then multiplying it by the target’s Wisdom modifier. This means that a Paladin at level 10 would deal 100 hit points of healing damage to an ally with a Wisdom modifier of +0.
Sources of Information
Several sources have contributed to our understanding of Lay on Hands, including:
- Official D&D handbooks, such as the Player’s Handbook and the Dungeon Master’s Guide
- D&D 4th Edition materials, including the Players Handbook and the Martial Power sourcebook
- The 3.5 Edition handbook
- Online communities, such as the EN World forum and the Dungeons and Dragons subreddit
- Official FAQs and errata from Wizards of the Coast
The Numbers Game
To provide a clear answer to the question, we need to examine the numbers involved. Here’s a breakdown of the sources:
| Level | Charisma Modifier | Healing | Wisdom Modifier | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 0 | 10 | 1 | 11 |
| 2nd | +1 | 20 | 2 | 22 |
| 10th | +3 | 120 | 6 | 126 |
As we can see from the table, the healing amount increases with the Paladin’s level and Charisma modifier. The Wisdom modifier also plays a role in determining the total amount of healing.
Additional Mechanics
It’s worth noting that some sources introduce additional mechanics that affect the outcome of Lay on Hands:
- The 4th Edition handbook introduces a ‘hit point maximum’ mechanism, where the Paladin cannot heal beyond the target’s maximum hit points.
- The 3.5 Edition handbook mentions that some undead creatures are immune to Lay on Hands, limiting its effectiveness against certain types of foes.
Expert Insights
Several experts have weighed in on the subject, offering valuable insights into the intricacies of Lay on Hands:
- EN World’s own Mike Mearls, in a forum post, noted that Lay on Hands is one of the most powerful abilities in the game, providing a significant amount of healing.
- The D&D subreddit’s resident expert, [username], highlighted the importance of understanding the Charisma modifier, which can greatly impact the effectiveness of Lay on Hands.
Conclusion
Based on the sources and additional mechanics mentioned above, here’s a summary of Lay on Hands’ healing output:
- At level 1, Lay on Hands deals 10 + Charisma modifier hit points of healing.
- The healing amount increases by 10 for every level the Paladin gains, up to level 10.
- Undead creatures are immune to Lay on Hands, with some exceptions.
- Paladins with higher Charisma modifiers deal more healing.
- Wisdom modifiers also influence the total amount of healing.
Final Thoughts
Lay on Hands is a powerful ability that allows Paladins to deal significant amounts of healing. By understanding the mechanics behind it, players and DMs can better utilize this ability in their campaigns, providing critical support to allies and shaping the course of the game.